TY - BOOK

T1 - Risk-Taking Behaviour in people diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder

AU - Sicilia, Anna

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - AbstractThis thesis was designed to explore the nature of risk-taking behaviour in peoplediagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (BD). Research has traditionally attributed risk-takingbehaviour in BD to difficulties in impulse control. Nonetheless, impulsivity remainspredominantly measured using self-report questionnaires, with dubious validity. The linksbetween impulsivity and risk-taking have also been challenged by new research in the field ofdecision-making suggesting a different conceptualisation of this often misunderstood set ofbehaviours. In particular, Fuzzy Trace Theory (FTT) offers an interesting framework tounderstand risk-taking as a “rational/deliberate” act, rather than an impulsive one, providingevidence for a “reasoned route” to risk-taking.This piece of research comprised of a systematic review, an empirical paper and acritical appraisal. The aim of the systematic review was to clarify whether there is consistentevidence to suggest that risk-taking behaviours are more prevalent in people diagnosed withBD compared to controls. Clinical and demographic predictors of risk-taking in BD werealso explored. The research paper aimed at characterising a group of people with BD in thecontext of FTT and to explore whether measures of FTT were predictive of higher risk-takingtendencies after controlling for impulsivity and mood. Finally, the critical appraisal aimed atdiscussing the dilemma of conducting quantitative research as a trainee clinical psychologist.The review suggested that people diagnosed with BD are more likely to engage inrisk-taking behaviour, but that this is dependent on mood state and mainly prevalent duringstates of mania. Some evidence in support of clinical and demographic predictors of risktakingin BD was also found. The empirical paper also supported the hypothesis that FTTpredicts risk-taking behaviour, even after accounting for the effects of mood and impulsivity.The findings were discussed in relation to previous research on the topic

AB - AbstractThis thesis was designed to explore the nature of risk-taking behaviour in peoplediagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (BD). Research has traditionally attributed risk-takingbehaviour in BD to difficulties in impulse control. Nonetheless, impulsivity remainspredominantly measured using self-report questionnaires, with dubious validity. The linksbetween impulsivity and risk-taking have also been challenged by new research in the field ofdecision-making suggesting a different conceptualisation of this often misunderstood set ofbehaviours. In particular, Fuzzy Trace Theory (FTT) offers an interesting framework tounderstand risk-taking as a “rational/deliberate” act, rather than an impulsive one, providingevidence for a “reasoned route” to risk-taking.This piece of research comprised of a systematic review, an empirical paper and acritical appraisal. The aim of the systematic review was to clarify whether there is consistentevidence to suggest that risk-taking behaviours are more prevalent in people diagnosed withBD compared to controls. Clinical and demographic predictors of risk-taking in BD werealso explored. The research paper aimed at characterising a group of people with BD in thecontext of FTT and to explore whether measures of FTT were predictive of higher risk-takingtendencies after controlling for impulsivity and mood. Finally, the critical appraisal aimed atdiscussing the dilemma of conducting quantitative research as a trainee clinical psychologist.The review suggested that people diagnosed with BD are more likely to engage inrisk-taking behaviour, but that this is dependent on mood state and mainly prevalent duringstates of mania. Some evidence in support of clinical and demographic predictors of risktakingin BD was also found. The empirical paper also supported the hypothesis that FTTpredicts risk-taking behaviour, even after accounting for the effects of mood and impulsivity.The findings were discussed in relation to previous research on the topic

U2 - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/66

DO - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/66

M3 - Doctoral Thesis

PB - Lancaster University

CY - Lancaster

ER -